Conversation Space II.

[powersthatbe]

As Thorne shared with the network, Travelers who vanish find themselves alone in a small room. But it doesn’t look quite as described last time. Paper lanterns hang in the corners, and a lemniscate of live, spicily scented blue roses traces a figure eight on the floor. A little marble plinth sits beside the looping roses, with a champagne flute balanced on it, pink, fizzy liquid quietly effervescing within. In place of the throne that was there before, each half of the loop holds a brown leather sphere - a yoga meditation-ball chair. They’re a little tricky to balance on.


The walls, floors, and ceiling are tiled, a prismatic fade from one color to another, each tile unique, just slightly different in hue than those around it, each colored line giving a sense that it belongs to a bigger pattern, but never revealing enough to allow anyone certainty about what that pattern might be. It is only a glimpse of a larger world… in this small, quiet space.

Comments

[callmemeibe]

When Han looks away just long enough, a woman somehow manages to appear in Liminal Space. For when he returns his attention to the meditation balls, she is balanced perfectly on the furthest ball-chair from Han, seven of her arms resting in her lap. One of them holds a sturdy but intricately-carved spear, which seems to be used more as an accessory at the moment, held loosely in her lowest right hand.

"Welcome, Han Solo. I mean you no harm."

[gotabadfeelingaboutthis]

He's a little surprised by her arrival, and the fact that, although she looks human, she has way too many arms. Even so, he isn't too mindblown-he's seen too many different races in his life to be surprised by a lot in that area.

"I still think you coulda asked first." he replied. His gaze keeps flicking to the spear, but she doesn't seem inclined to pick it up at the moment. He hopes it stays that way. "Then I guess that pointy thing is just a decoration?" he asks, only halfway sarcastic.

"So why were my daughter and I brought here?" he asked. "Not that I'm holding my breath I'll get a straight answer or the whole truth, mind you."

[callmemeibe]

"We must all speak with our Chosen. You must know why I marked you."

Her voice lilts teasingly when she says, "Would you care to find out?" She asks, a coy smile appearing on her lips as she grasps her spear with all eight of her hands. She does not move into a fighting stance, however.

"The straight answer is... Fortune. The whole truth is more difficult. But I will explain what I can."

[gotabadfeelingaboutthis]

Han has noticed the mark he's picked up. He isn't too thrilled with having his body altered.

"Yeah, I would." He replies. "Even if it is complicated."

[callmemeibe]

"You would spar with me? Or you would learn the whole truth?" She seems vaguely amused at sparring with a mortal, but doesn't wait for Han's answer - she knows what he's after.

"Fortuna won last cycle. She determined the rules of the current game."

[gotabadfeelingaboutthis]

"No, no...I would, but I don't do swords. That's my brother-in-law's thing." Han replied. "Now, if you had a blaster, it might be different." Han knows he probably would get his ass kicked, since she can't be a mere mortal with everything he's been dragged into by the group, but he can never resist a little bragging.

"I meant I'd like to find out the whole story." he said, but she answered fast, before he could get it all out.

"Fortuna? Who's that? And the rules meant we had to be brought here whether we wanted it or not?"

[callmemeibe]

"I shall note this," she answers, smiling mysteriously. "When thus armed, we may spar."

Durga pauses, trying to find her words and explain this as simply as she is able. "You might know her as… Wheel of Fortune. And yes, those were the rules she specified. Beings without sentience and motivation were disqualified. Then beings from that candidate pool were chosen. You were one of those."

[gotabadfeelingaboutthis]

Han does think his big mouth might get him into trouble if he isn't careful. Whatever she is, she's gotta be stronger and everything...he's probably screwed if they ever get that chance. Still, he doesn't really show it.

"I guess I do have that." he replied. "So, when all this is over and done, we will get to go back home, won't we?" he asked.

[callmemeibe]

"If I win... yes," she stresses, frowning slightly. "The others may not return you home. I want to ensure victory. You want to ensure safe passage 'home'. Therefore, you should help me win."

[gotabadfeelingaboutthis]

Han isn't sure if he should trust her or not...it's hard for him to do so, knowing what they're doing and how they're being manipulated. But, he can still reply in a way for now.

"If you don't decide to turn against us, and if it'll get me home, I'll see what can be done. It's going to take a while to trust you, though."

[callmemeibe]

She frowns visibly at his words. "Betrayal is not in my being. That is LUNE's domain. I am not... particularly fond of LUNE. Though I understand trust is earned. I am not lying to you."

[gotabadfeelingaboutthis]

"Hopefully we'll get there. I think it's just a human thing...or gettin' jerked around and lied to a few too many times in my life. I'm willing to see what happens, though, see if I can get to that point." he replies.

[callmemeibe]

"Then it shall be so. I look forward to working with you."